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Town to implement zero tolerance on staff abuse

Nov 21, 2017 | 1:29 PM

Battleford town hall will be posting signs inside a number of its facilities where staff serve residents to advise the public that any verbal or physical abuse will not be tolerated. 

“Administration brought it forward because nobody deserves to be yelled at, or be faced with profanity, no matter where you work or where you serve,” said Mayor Ames Leslie following council Monday. “This is just one more step to help notify the residents as they come in that frustrations are always there, but please do it in a respectful way.”

Leslie said if any individuals have grievances or are upset about something they can speak to the town administrator or call the mayor directly.

“Please don’t take it out on the staff or the employees at the Town of Battleford,” he said. “These signs will be one more step that it won’t be tolerated.”

Leslie said on occasion staff have been subjected to abuse. 

“A few times is too many,” the mayor said. “Employees shouldn’t have to deal with it. Hopefully, this will help notify the people we won’t tolerate it as a town.”

Council voted in favour of purchasing signs to install at town facilities, reading: “Polite Notice: Verbal and physical abuse will not be tolerated. If you display such behaviour you will be asked to leave immediately.”

The town describes harassment as dealing with any inappropriate conduct, comment, display action or gesture from an individual that impacts a worker’s psychological or physical well-being, that the individual would reasonably know would cause the worker to be humiliated or intimidated.

The issue was raised by CAO John Enns-Wind, who said he believes the problem likely pertains to only a handful of people from the public. 

“Our staff have been [verbally assaulted] here at the town hall and out on the street doing their job,” he said. He said part of the employer’s obligation is to ensure staff have a “safe work environment.” 

Signs will be erected inside the town hall, as well as the parks and recreation, public works, and perhaps utilities facilities as a “polite reminder to behave,” said the CAO.

He said 99.9 per cent of people are respectful, and he hopes the signs serve as a reminder to everyone not to resort to abuse. 

 

angela.brown@jpbg.ca

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